This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

AHL: Toronto Marlies shut out Grand Rapids Griffins

Jussi Rynnas recorded his eighth career shutout as a Marlie on Sunday, a franchise best. (DAVID COOPER / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO)

By Sam McCaigThe Canadian Press

Sun., Dec. 16, 2012

After more than a month on the sidelines, Jussi Rynnas picked up where he left off.

Rynnas, who hadn’t played since Nov. 13 because of a pulled groin muscle, made 31 saves, leading the Toronto Marlies to a 5-0 victory over the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins in American Hockey League action on Sunday.

“He was certainly impressive,” said Marlies coach Dallas Eakins. “I thought he’d go in and battle hard, but that might be the best game I’ve ever seen him play.

“Every win is a team win, but (Rynnas) was a massive part of today’s victory.”

Rynnas denied a Griffins breakaway in the opening moments of the game, made a quick reaction save after a Marlies turnover in the second period and stood tall in preserving the shutout during Grand Rapids’ four power-play chances in the third.

“It feels pretty good,” Rynnas said. “The team is playing really well, too. I trust those guys in front of me and that helps me trust myself.”

Rynnas has been stellar in the few games he’s played this season. The 24-year-old native of Pori, Finland, is 4-0-1 with three shutouts in five appearances and has a 1.55 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. The shutout against Grand Rapids was the eighth of Rynnas’ career with the Marlies, passing Toronto starter Ben Scrivens and Justin Pogge for the franchise record.

Keith Aucoin scored twice and Nazem Kadri, Nicolas Deschamps and Ryan Hamilton added singles as the Marlies (15-9-1) won their second straight and sixth in their past seven games.

“We’ve been playing well the past month or so,” Aucoin said. “We’re coming together as a team, we’re getting great goaltending, the power play and penalty killing are doing well. . . . It’s just all coming together right now and we want to keep it going.”

Aucoin’s first goal of the game was his 800th AHL point, which ranks 11th all-time, while Kadri and Hamilton chipped in an assist apiece for two-point nights. Toronto defenceman Paul Ranger collected two helpers in front of an announced crowd of 5,767 at Ricoh Coliseum.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Aucoin of hitting the 800-point plateau. “It’s moments like this that I’ll look back on and remember what a career it was. I was just hoping (the 800th point) would be an assist because I pass the puck more than I shoot it.”

More from The Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com